by Sara Paretsky
I hesitated to pick this book up as I had been disappointed in the last Paretsky I read ("Total Recall"). I had found it far too complex and the behaviour of the Lotty character had really stretched my credulity. However, "Fire Sale" was a real delight.
As usual, V.I.Warshawski gets into a lot of hot water and involves herself in a range of highly dangerous activities. In this novel, however, she emerged far more clearly as a rounded character: we see her relationships with a whole range of others: the girls she coaches for basketball in her home neighborhood (and their boyfriends); her neighbour, Mr Contreras; her lover, Morrell; a journalist friend of his, Marcena Love... There is enough character development in almost all of these for very successful interaction.
The pace never lets up; I found it hard to put the book down. The plot is all very plausible - and Paretsky has more than a sideways swipe at Walmart! Definitely worth reading.
Review by Jean Nale
As usual, V.I.Warshawski gets into a lot of hot water and involves herself in a range of highly dangerous activities. In this novel, however, she emerged far more clearly as a rounded character: we see her relationships with a whole range of others: the girls she coaches for basketball in her home neighborhood (and their boyfriends); her neighbour, Mr Contreras; her lover, Morrell; a journalist friend of his, Marcena Love... There is enough character development in almost all of these for very successful interaction.
The pace never lets up; I found it hard to put the book down. The plot is all very plausible - and Paretsky has more than a sideways swipe at Walmart! Definitely worth reading.
Review by Jean Nale
